What has been your biggest accomplishment, to date?

"Actually, last week I made my largest sale to date, and hit the target for our whole department. I sold two top of the line models to one customer, $40,000, and this was the best sales day of my career so far. It was really exciting to close that deal."

A professional's proudest accomplishment will be an indicator of what they consider a marker of their success. How you answer will inform your interviewer of what success looks like to you, which should reveal your experience level and your work ethic. It will also help them gauge your sense of accomplishment against their expectations. Whether your accomplishment is big or small, be sure to add context to why this achievement was significant in ways that showcase your professional worth. As they state on their website; "We attract, develop and retain outstanding employees by making decisions about recruitment, training, promotions and discipline on the basis of merit."

Tell me about your performance this past year.

"So far this year, I exceeded my targets, reaching 113% of my goal, with 3 more months to go. I have been the top performer in our region for the past 5 months. My supervisor is very happy with my performance so far this year."

You've detailed your recent accomplishments on your resume and cover letter, and now it is time to offer context to those accomplishments and share how your career progression led you to competing for this position. This is the best time to share your achievements and advertise your professional worth.

"I've accomplished many of the career goals I set out for myself last year and have been very focused on my development. I've improved by seeking out feedback, improving my communication skills and my time management skills. Additionally, I not only feel very good about the knowledge I've gained, but also how I have imparted that knowledge onto those I've coached or mentored. This has been a very good year for me."

How competitive are you?

"I love a great challenge in the workplace. I am not competitive to the point that it would work against my team or colleagues. I consider myself to be more internally competitive. If our team sets a goal or a deadline, I'll put my all in, and challenge others on our team to beat that goal or best their previous records, just as I do for myself. I have high expectations of myself and will always strive to do better than the day before."

Being a competitive person can be a positive, depending on the context and the level of professionalism portrayed. This should always be balanced with one's sense of teamwork and collaboration, prioritizing the needs of the company and your teams above your own personal or professional goals or ambitions. Assure the interviewer that you have a competitive edge, when necessary, and are able to balance that competition in a healthy way, such as being competitive with yourself and your prior best. According to Johnson Controls' values; "A workplace that energizes and supports everyone's best efforts is a winning workplace. WHAT WINNING LOOKS LIKE... We maintain a respectful workplace by: Building trust with colleagues and partners. Listening to understand - seeking opportunities to collaborate and share for the good of the team."

List the top 3 skills that you acquired in your last role.

In my most recent position, the skills that I am most proud of acquiring would include my well-honed leadership skills, my scheduling abilities, and my cold calling skills. I also have strong skills in a variety of Microsoft programs, such as PowerPoint and Excel.

"We attract, develop and retain outstanding employees by treating people fairly and focusing on the value they bring to Johnson Controls."You likely already volunteered your most recent accomplishments, and likewise listed your hard skills on your resume. When asked about your best skills in an interview, focus on those harder to quantify soft skills, such as your interpersonal or communication skills. Whether you deep dive into time management or project management, try to identify exactly what it is they look for in their company culture, and try to embody that, where applicable.

The biggest skill that I gained was my ability to multi-task as I worked the dual role of employee and student. I put in a great deal of effort to upgrade my education while working full time over the past few years.

How do you like to spend your spare time?

"I enjoy working on my hobby of carpentry. I enjoy planning out the project from beginning to end. Home improvement projects as well. I also love to watch instructional YouTube videos on new topics, and learning new things. That, and I enjoy reading."

This getting-to-know-you question serves as something of an ice-breaker. It will provide your interviewer with a glimpse of who you are as a person, as well as offer you an opportunity to make yourself more interesting, relatable, and memorable. Be open, yet filtered, maintaining a professional tone and not becoming too familiar or informal.

"I am all about taking good care of myself and learning new ways to improve my quality of life. I do a lot of cooking from scratch. I also enjoy gardening and being in the outdoors. I do a lot of hiking and bike riding as well. How about you?"

Tell me about yourself.

"I grew up on a farm in western Wisconsin, and from an early age was no stranger to a hard day's work. Winters in Wisconsin can be harsh and naturally when it came time to tour colleges, I was more interest in going to school somewhere with milder weather. This led to me going to UCSD, and majoring in engineering. Having grown up in Wisconsin, from an early age, I knew of Warren Johnson, and always identified with him, having had a similar upbringing. Now, with enough experience under my belt, I found the timing to be right to apply to Johnson Controls."

Before your interview, try to compose a brief bio of approximately 200 words, briefly covering who you are as a professional, how your path evolved and steered your career pursuits, and how your goals and values led you here. You basically want to cover these four points: who you are as a professional, why you are here, where you come from, and where, as a professional, you are going with your career. By composing this and memorizing it in advance, you will be able to avoid rambling and communicate clearly and effectively, as would a professional.

Who is your hero, and why?

"Nicolas Cugnot, the inventor of the steam engine automotive, is one of my heroes, along with Nicola Tesla, among other early clean energy inventors, Warren Johnson among them, who preferred alternate methods over fossil fuels. I often wonder what our world would have looked like if clean energy inventors had won out in the industrial revolution."

This question offers you a few opportunities. One approach is to showcase who your role model is, and why you chose to pursue your career path, and what drives you as a professional. Another approach is to offer a source of inspiration or someone you admire that influenced you to pursuing a career in this industry. Another is to consider someone, or a few individuals, who are along the lines of Warren Johnson, the founder of the original company that eventually evolved into Johnson Controls. "Warren Johnson grew up in poverty, was self-taught, with little formal schooling, he had a gift for discovery. Even as a young boy, he kept a book in which he sketched and described mechanical, chemical and electrical inventions. His passion for invention continued throughout his life, resulting in 50 patents."However you choose to answer, try to frame your answer in a manner that showcases your like-mindedness, and that you, in many ways, identify with and embraced the values which Johnson Controls holds dear.

Why do you believe you will have success at this position with Johnson Controls?

"I feel I'll be successful in this position because I feel uniquely qualified for this position. I'm passionate about what your organization stands for and where Johnson Controls can take my career and help further develop my potential. I strongly identify with Johnson Controls' strong sense of ethics and similarly, Integrity is my number one core value. These are just a few of the reasons I feel that I'll be successful in this role with Johnson Controls."

As Johnson Controls advertise on their website, "We base employment decisions on qualifications, aspirations and performance. We hire and promote the best and the brightest. We attract talented people, develop their potential, and set them up to succeed. Giving everyone a fair chance is the right thing to do."After spending adequate time researching Johnson Controls, their values, work environment and culture, try to determine why you are the right fit for this particular position. Highlight the skills you possess and detail for the interviewer why you are the best choice for the position.

Where do you see this position at Johnson Controls taking your career in the future?

"I spent a lot of time mapping out my career path, and have adjusted my career goals accordingly. But I envision my goals being fast tracked and fully realized with a future at Johnson Controls. I feel like this position would help me to get there, especially with the opportunity for growth within, eventually evolving into a team leadership role. I would ultimately like to work my way to a management position with Johnson Controls."

Closely examining your five-year career plan, and how you hope to attain your goals and reach those milestones, map out how Johnson Controls can help you in this regard, and where you would like to take your career with them. Determining this before your interview, and being able to answer this question in a well thought, formulated way will assure them you are invested in this career opportunity and are interested in a long-term employment with them. As they state, "No matter what career path you envision for your future, Johnson Controls is a great place to start." Talk to the interviewer about the type of career growth that you would like to see with Johnson Controls, and how do you think this position will help you to get there?

At Johnson Controls we like to train our employees in their particular areas of interest. If you could have training in any specific area, which topic would you choose?

"One of the things that drew me to this role was the continued training Johnson Controls offers their employees. If I could train in any area with Johnson Controls, I'd first like to explore the meaningful opportunities working in your technology and product development division."

Many companies will offer training to their top performing employees. If you could take additional training in any related area, what would you choose? As they advertise on their website, "We provide meaningful opportunities to learn from the best and brightest in the industry." Share what you've learned while doing your homework on the company by discussing the topics that interest you most.

Why do you want to work for us over one of our competitors?

"I want to work for Johnson Controls because you have a reputation of putting your values first, sticking to your commitments to diversity and inclusion, hitting your sustainability targets, and standing behind your promises of integrity and ethical conduct. Many of these values are posted on the webpages of countless companies, but rarely do you see actionable steps being taken where a company really stands behind their word. Johnson Controls' history and industry reputation is impressive, and the working environment they've built is in line with the ideal environment I'd be proud to work in. I have a couple of friends who work for Johnson Controls and they only have great things to say about working here. I'd be thrilled to join your team."

Many of Johnson Controls value propositions are designed to help advertise their company as a great place to work, to recruit the best talent. By researching the company, and the websites of their competitors before your interview, you'll better be able to determine how their value propositions separate them from their competitors, especially concerning your career goals and ideal working environment. While delivering your answer, make sure to strike an enthusiastic tone.

In your opinion, what sets us apart from our competitors?

"I have researched Johnson Controls a great deal and feel that the one thing that sets your product apart from others is the fact that you have the most incredible manufacturer's guarantee on the market. Buyers want security when they make such a large purchase and Johnson Controls offers just that. All of your brands are trusted and you know how to show the value of your offerings across all the industries you serve."

While evaluating what sets Johnson Controls apart from their competitors, try to identify their marks of pride and what the language on their site tries to impress. Contrast this to the offerings of their competitors. More often than not, you can determine this based on their longevity, their media coverage, and their values. Johnson Controls places emphasis in this regard, on "HOW WE WIN", by "WHY WE PUT VALUES FIRST", and they further define "WHAT WINNING LOOKS LIKE" based on their principles, which they apply to every aspect of their business."Throughout our history, Johnson Controls has conducted business with integrity. Our dedication to 'do the right thing' improves our long-term business performance, reputation, productivity, and employee retention. Integrity is at the center of everything we do at Johnson Controls. Our Company's ongoing success stems from our deeply engrained culture of ethics and integrity. Acting with integrity allows us to meet the high expectations of our customers, partners and communities, and gives us a competitive advantage. Doing business with integrity is the only way to do business."

What interests you most about what we do at Johnson Controls?

The Tech industry is always changing, and what interests me most about this industry is that almost everyone takes note when a breakthrough is made, especially when it brings our goals of sustainability closer to our global goals and global interest in reducing environmental impact. Even if you don't consider yourself a tech lover, you can't help but take note of new trends and exciting innovations. The fact the technology is always changing makes it an exciting industry to be in! Currently, I am really interested in learning more about the technology that you have in your latest building automations and smart controls.

Effectively answering this question requires a thorough understanding of what their company offers the multiple industries they serve, as well as their values and approach to doing business. Take into consideration their marks of pride and their commitments, which they advertise as setting them apart from their competition.For example, "For nearly 140 years, we've made buildings better and now we're transforming them again with our award-winning digital technologies and services. We're using artificial intelligence and data driven solutions to give you deeper insight into your building's health, sustainability and performance. It's changing the way we design, operate and maintain indoor environments and driving to a new era of autonomous buildings. We deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, hotels, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive suite of connected solutions."

When was Johnson Controls formed?

"In 1885, long before anyone talked about carbon footprints or climate change, Warren Johnson launched a company to explore new ways to harness and conserve precious energy resources. Even before he founded the firm, which since 1974 became known as Johnson Controls, Warren Johnson was the quintessential inventor. His pneumatic tower clocks, electric storage batteries, wireless telegraph business and steam-powered luxury cars and postal service trucks anticipated, and shaped the future. He was way ahead of his time and the rest of the world is still catching up."

The company was renamed Johnson Controls in 1974, but has a much more involved history going back to the late nineteenth century. Spend time exploring their webpage on the history of their company and answer this question a bit more in depth. Any opportunity you have to go a little above and beyond in your interview will convey you have a stronger work ethic, thereby suggesting you are a desirable asset.

Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How was it resolved?

I have been lucky enough to work with some great people and have not experienced conflict with a boss in the past. Although my previous employer was much older than me, and displayed some old-school, antiquated leadership techniques, I set boundaries early on and adapted, and accepted their way of doing things. But we were both pretty clear communicators, and conflict never arose. I believe that it's my job as a professional to adapt to all types of people, and respect leadership even when I disagree with decisions they make. If I were to experience conflict in the workplace, I would address the situation right away through conversation. It's never a good idea to let conflict simmer, and I'm not afraid to have an uncomfortable conversation to sort a situation out. So when any correctable action is required, it should be followed through on promptly, as often as needed, with clear specifics.

Before considering any candidates as viable, they need to assess your interpersonal skills, communication skills, and conflict resolution skills. All these boil down to your emotional intelligence. Therefore, this question aims to assess whether you have issues with those in positions of authority, whether you are respectful of your leaders, and whether you can communicate respectfully. As they state on their website, "Promoting and Maintaining a Respectful Workplace: We treat others with respect, promoting a positive work environment in which we thrive as One Team."

"I worked with a boss who one day was emotionally destabilized. I wasn't sure what was going on at first, but it was clear from our first interaction that day. So I did my best to not internalize whatever it was they were going through and kept my distance and my focus on myself. At certain times, they projected their frustrations towards me, but I knew I had nothing to do with it, so I conducted myself professionally and kept working. I felt empathy for them, but objectified it, none-the-less. At the end of the day, as I was putting on my coat, they apologized for their behavior and confessed they had some personal stuff going on that day. I told them not to worry about it, and that I hoped things sorted out. After that we were fine. But at no point did it devolve into a conflict. It was situational and had nothing to do with me. I kept a great attitude, and focused on my own stuff, and had a good day at work. End of story."

Would you consider yourself a creative person?

I believe that creativity shows itself in many forms so. Although I am not an artsy creative type, I do still consider myself creative. I mean, I often think outside of the box, am resourceful, and have an innovative spirit. I come up with original ideas on a regular basis, and am a very strong creative writer.

Johnson Controls was built upon a culture of innovation by their founder, Warren Johnson, a self-taught inventor and innovator. Therefore, they look for these qualities in their talent and future workforce. "Johnson Controls is powered by your talent. The future requires bold ideas, an entrepreneurial mindset and collaboration across boundaries. Tomorrow needs your talent. Tomorrow needs you." Talk to the interviewer about any interest that you have in creativity and how you have implemented that creativity in the workplace, whether through small improvements, or kaizen, or bigger improvements, or innovations.

"I do consider myself to be a creative individual. I pride myself on this, and have been told by many I've worked with that I have an innovative spirit. One example of this would be that I kaizened the telephone sales scripts for our inside sales team. They were lively and effective, and sales increased by 23% in the first 90 days of implementation."

If you could invent something, what would it be?

"I would love to invent solar cells that behaved like flowers, gradually moving with the sun, maximizing on the energy source, and folding in upon themselves as the sun sets. I'd also like to incorporate this technology in tandem with storage battery cells that distributed this energy to independent utility appliances, as needed, which were equipped with their own batteries. A building organism, in a manner of speaking."

This is a fun interview question designed to unravel why you are interested particularly in working for them, and the range of your innovative spirit. "Empower every employee to take an active role in creating a culture that values uniqueness, celebrates creativity and drives innovation. Our High-Performance Culture ensures that we have the best talent that is highly engaged and eager to innovate."

Tell me about a time when you took the initiative to improve work related procedures.

"I was able to present and implement one specific change in the office this past year. It was a recycling program which I felt was very important, even for our smaller office. I'm pretty proud of it. We had significantly less waste after my initiative was implemented and I enjoyed seeing others take pride in helping our environment."

It is one thing to demonstrate an innovative spirit, but demonstrating your success as a professional through your work ethic and systems implementation also showcases your leadership potential. Talk to the hiring manager about a time when you took initiative in the workplace, exercising sound judgement while adhering to the chain of command. "Our High-Performance Culture ensures that we have the best talent that is highly engaged and eager to innovate. Empower every employee to take an active role in creating a culture that values uniqueness, celebrates creativity and drives innovation."

"This year I asked my manager if we could look at some new options for parts vendors. Our previous vendor started to exhibit some unethical behavior, promising an order to us, then not delivering and experiencing significant delays. I eventually was talking to a previous client who was doing business with them, and learned they were selling our orders to our competitors, which were contracted at a higher rate. Before presenting this to my superiors, I ended up finding a couple of vendors who were even more competitive with their pricing and had a better track record of exhibiting integrity. So, I informed them of what was happening, and we made the switch. I am estimating that the change saved us close to $1000 per week."

At Johnson Controls we put a lot of pride in our customer service. How do you go above and beyond for your clientele?

"I always have a smile on my face! It's amazing how a positive spin on all communication can improve a customer's level of satisfaction. I will say 'let me check into that for you' or 'let me see what I can do' or 'I will certainly try to find that answer for you'. Another way that I go above and beyond for my customers is by never saying 'no'. I have a very strong sense of organization and I always follow up when I say that I will. I go above and beyond with my customers by committing to my follow-up calls with them. My customers appreciate my sense of responsibility and respect for their time."

Explore your philosophy and approach to customer service and determine how it is aligned with their values and approach. Assure the interviewer you'll represent their company as an 'ambassador' of their company, according to their values and communications policy. Share how you "communicate truthfully, accurately and consistently with customers, investors and other stakeholders."

As they state on their site, "We are the power behind the customer mission. We want customers who stay with us for the long term, customers who trust us to understand, anticipate and meet their needs better than our competitors. We are never complacent, always looking for new and better ways to be customer driven. As we continue to innovate, we never compromise on the quality or safety of our products and services."

"I treat my customers as I would want to be treated myself. I would want to feel valued for my brand loyalty, and therefore would want to be treated with respect, communicated with truthfully and transparently, and would want to feel understood. That is what I try to do with my customers. I try to understand their pain points, their wants and I try to anticipate their needs. I treat them as a friend, as a member of the group, and continue to build and foster relationships with them. I make them feel valued."

Looking at your resume, I see multiple gaps between employment. What were you doing during those gaps?

"I had a gap from 2009-2010 while I was on maternity leave and then another for 6 months in 2015 while I cared for an ailing parent. During that time I was vigilant in keeping up to date on the market so that my knowledge did not become redundant."

There may be many viable and legitimate reasons for gaps in your resume. This offers you an opportunity to provide context and answer those questions in the back of your interviewer's mind. Best to be honest and up front about your reasons.

"I was laid off in December of 2016 and, due to the recession, found it difficult to land employment for the 8 months following that lay off. Luckily, I received a good severance package from my previous employer. I took the time to travel around east Asia, and I even learned a second language. It was time very well spent."

We are moving quickly into second interviews. What is your availability like over the next few days?

I would be happy to make myself available for another interview. I am very interested in this role and will be as flexible as possible, but would require some notice. Here, give me a moment to look at my calendar. What days are we thinking? The most ideal times for me to interview are between 8-9 AM and 4-5 PM Monday through Friday, but might be able to move a couple of things around if need be, but it's limited.

This question isn't a guarantee they'll ask you back for the next round, but how you answer the question could inch you closer to that opportunity. Try to be as flexible as possible with your availability, while exhibiting a thoughtful approach. When asked this question, take a moment to look at your calendar to showcase your project management and time management skills in real time. This will give them greater confidence in your abilities and effectiveness as a professional. It might also hint that there is competition out there to hire you, and that you are a desirable asset with greater professional worth. Whereas, being too flexible may indicate you don't have much else going on, or that you put little thought into it before answering. Worse yet is reaching out later to reschedule. This will serve as a red flag, and that you pay attention to the details of your own schedule.

Are you comfortable working in a diverse and inclusive environment?

"I am more comfortable working in a diverse environment than not working in one. My previous teams at all of my previous positions included people from all walks of life. The greater the diversity, the greater the varied input, enhanced learning opportunities, and the greater the innovation."

These days, diversity, inclusion, and innovation go hand in hand. Therefore, your interview needs to determine whether you will be able to contribute to and embrace their work culture and environment. So, this question is designed to evaluate your cultural competence, experience, and how open you are to working with those from different walks of life and backgrounds than your own. As they advertise on their site, "Our rich culture of inclusion will drive the right mindsets and behaviors, unlock engagement, accelerate productivity and foster innovation, leading to exceptional customer outcomes. Our diverse global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries creates innovative, integrated solutions to make cities more connected, buildings more intelligent and environments more comfortable and secure."

"I have always been an open and accepting individual, and I absolutely thrive in a diverse and inclusive environment. I consider myself a traveler, and whether I am on vacation or at home, I thrive on meeting new people and learning about new cultures through exposure or immersion. I am comfortable with myself, and working with others who live lifestyles outside of my range of experience or exposure."

What would you do if you were made aware of a co-worker being dishonest or stealing from the company?

"Something like that is unacceptable, in my opinion. If I was made aware of a co-worker being dishonest or stealing from the company, I would take all the circumstances into consideration, but ultimately I would notify my supervisor immediately, and discretely."

Answering questions such as these can often create a conflict. On one hand, you want to illustrate your sense of teamwork, relationship building, camaraderie, and your interpersonal skills. On the other hand, you want to exhibit integrity, and zero hesitation to do the right thing. You also don't want to come across as the type of employee who would use any opportunity to make yourself look better by making other look worse. So, when answering questions such as these, you'll want to illustrate tact, discretion, and the kinds of sensibilities of an HR representative.

Johnson controls, states that they 'lead with integrity and purpose' and "Often, the right thing to do is obvious. At other times, a situation may seem complex or unusual and we may be unsure about how to proceed. If you have a concern, please speak up immediately. Not only do we have a duty to do so, it allows us to quickly gain clarity and avoid potential problems. If something has gone wrong, it gives us an opportunity to investigate and correct it."

"Unfortunately, dishonest employees are everywhere and I certainly would not consider myself a 'whistle-blower' in the workplace. If I found that a co-worker was stealing, or doing anything to harm the company, I would approach them directly to ask what was going on, in case the situation ended up being a simple misunderstanding. If it wasn't a misunderstanding and the co-worker was stealing, I would offer them every opportunity to rethink the situation, and would inform them they were putting me in the unfortunate position of having to report the incident. If they were defiant, or lacking remorse, I would bring it, in a professional manner, to the attention of the appropriate parties."

How does it make you feel when someone offers you feedback?

"Well, it all depends, of course, on how well the feedback is delivered. If the feedback is constructive, and there is valuable intel which could further my professional development, I, of course, would take it to heart, regardless of how it was delivered. Even when someone is not the greatest communicator and the messaging could be improved upon, there is often useful information to be gained. I would just hope that the person delivering the feedback would be skilled in non-defensive communication. Because that could definitely play into how that feedback would make someone feel."

This question aims to assess your emotional intelligence by how you respond to feedback. Your interviewer wants to know whether you are receptive to feedback when it is delivered, whether you seek out feedback in the interest of developing yourself as a professional, and what you learn from and apply to your development with the information given. Johnson Controls states that, "Valuing what makes each of us unique broadens our perspectives and stimulates new ideas." They do this by "actively seeking out alternative opinions and approaches, listening respectfully to others so that we can consider and benefit from thoughts and ideas different from our own, treating people fairly and providing employees with equal opportunities based on their qualifications and skills, asking for and being receptive to feedback from others."

What would you do if a supervisor asked you to do something unsafe?

"I would question their judgement, try to get them to rethink it, all while evaluating whether it was a moment of weakness, or if it was more so a reflection of their integrity. Basically, I would give them every opportunity to change course, and if this was a wider problem, I would likely report the issue while exercising discretion."

There are situations where situations such as these arise based on clouded priorities. Some may prioritize getting the job done by a deadline at all costs, even taking risks or doing something unsafe. However, taking such risks or putting someone else's, or your own personal safety on the line, demonstrates poor judgement and poor time management or project management skills rather than taking one for the team.Johnson Controls' core value is integrity. They have what they call their Zero Harm Vision. They even have an ethics violation hotline for their employees to call when they witness behavior that violates these values.

Here are some statements from their website worth familiarizing yourself with when answering this question."We keep ourselves and others safe and healthy so that we can reach our full potential. We win as a team when we make the well-being of our people and visitors our top priority. Nothing is more important than health and safety in the workplace; our Zero Harm Vision and associated goals keep us focused. Keeping everyone safe is a shared responsibility. We look out for one another in our daily activities, to prevent injury and accidents, and we take appropriate actions if we see anything that could cause harm. Practicing good safety habits protects us, makes our work environment more comfortable and allows us to focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences and solutions.We promote a culture of Zero Harm by: Knowing and following all safety guidelines and procedures. Never taking unnecessary risks in the workplace or asking others to do so. Stopping what we're doing immediately if it becomes unsafe, even if it means delaying production or the job. Always reporting unsafe or unhealthy conditions or behaviors, such as workplace hazards, broken or missing equipment, threats of violence or weapons on Company property. Knowing what to do in case of injury or other emergency. Arriving at work free of any substance that could impair judgment or threaten safety."

"I would not comply with something that would compromise the safety of my teammates or my own personal safety. Especially if it went against the company's values. I would also question their judgement, and how clearly they were prioritizing their own short-term goals over the company's long-term goals."

Tell me your greatest strength and your greatest weakness and how it affects you in your work.

"I feel one of my greatest strengths is not being afraid to make mistakes, and being able to quickly learn from my mistakes and not let them hold me back. But this sometimes can be a weakness of mine as well. Sometimes I am a bit too pragmatic and not as apologetic as I could be. But I move on pretty quickly, and when I make a mistake and take ownership of it and say I won't make that mistake again, you know it's true, and that I won't."

When sharing your strengths and weaknesses, try to frame your strengths as the kinds of traits they are looking for in their future talent. When considering a weakness to share, frame your weakness as a strength in its own right, a skill that is an asset but still underdeveloped and can sometimes work against you, such as being too hard on yourself when you suffer a setback, wanting to contribute more and trying too hard, taking on more work than you can handle with the aim of wanted to be more proactive, or being too much of a perfectionist.

"Johnson Controls attracts, develops and empowers individuals with a wide range of experiences, capabilities and points of view to solve problems more creatively, make decisions more thoughtfully and identify opportunities more proactively. When everyone feels they can contribute to and participate in our success, our employees, customers and investors all benefit."

Walk me through your resume.

"I am a recent graduate from Cambridge University. There, I took many classes on business and marketing. While attending University, I worked part time for my uncle's marketing firm. I wasn't in a sales function but did act as a sales support to the existing sales team. I started my career at Company XYZ. In that role, I was the top employee for 9 months running. I was offered a promotion and moved to Chicago, where I stayed for 4 years. After being offered a regional sales manager role with Company ABC. In total, I have 6 years of experience with great results and successes. I look forward to expanding my knowledge in this industry, and working for Johnson Controls."

The interviewer will probably already have your resume in front of them, which means they are not looking for a dull play-by-play on your work history. They are asking you to bring your resume to life by offering context to the details you've listed there for them. Share your key successes, taking a few minutes to highlight each position briefly, and explain why the accomplishments listed there are significant. Don't be afraid to brag about yourself a bit while retaining an air of professionalism.

Do you prefer innovating on more team participation projects, or working on more analytical individualized projects?

"I enjoy the thrill of more collaborative projects. When I was a kid, my parents took me to the jet propulsion laboratories to watch the first mars rover mission. Watching them all scream and shout with joy at their success, feeling that community of innovators and how they all had a hand in the success of the mission. That is what I have always striven for in my career."

The heart of this question is determining what work environment, or type of work, offers you the most job satisfaction. Primarily, they are trying to determine whether you are more of an introvert who thrives on more solitary tasks, or if you are more of an extrovert who prefers more collaborative and interpersonal work. There is no right or wrong answer here, and it is best to be honest. However, most people don't fall at either extreme of the scale, and fall somewhere in the middle, leaning in one direction or another. So it is as important for you to be as honest with yourself as you would be with your interviewer. Besides, the more adaptable you seem, the more desirable a candidate you will be.

"I do enjoy hunkering down and researching. I always approach it as a mystery, finding what I am looking for and performing the research to uncover secrets. But I also enjoy passing on my findings and participating in what comes next."

I see that you have recently worked for one of our direct competitors. Do you have a non-compete agreement in place?

"I did sign a non-compete with my current company; however, it just asks that I do not purposefully poach any of my clients from the past 3 years. I am not restricted when it comes to accepting offers of employment from competing dealerships."

This question can be delivered in a variety of forms, depending on whether you have worked for one of their competitors or not. In competitive markets, being asked to sign a non-compete or non-disclosure agreement is not all that uncommon. So this question is just as much a test of your integrity, determining if you have any conflicts of interest as it is a test of willingness to sign and adhere to such an agreement with them. Be honest and open with the interviewer about any existing restrictions you may have when it comes to working for a competing organization, and your willingness to sign and adhere to such an agreement with them.

Take into consideration their values and how their ethical code of conduct, and how that plays into this question. "Our values show us that how we achieve our goals matters as much as achieving them. The choices we make along the way say a lot about us as individuals and as an organization. We want to be known for making the right choices--choices that support a culture and a company we can be proud of--and operating in an ethical, legally responsible way."

"I am happy to say that I do not have any restrictions on my employment, and haven't been asked by my previous employer to sign a non-compete. However, I would have no problem signing one, if required, and would respect and adhere to it. I also would have no issue signing any non-disclosure agreements, or participating in a background check, if required."

How can we motivate you on the job?

"I am best motivated by rewarding my efforts with new opportunities for advancement and learning. Bring me into the fold, and share with me the behind the scenes of the big picture. Show me what we are shooting for, and I'll keep asking questions until I have a full clear view of the big picture and how to get us there. Motivating me on the job would be to give me on the job by helping me reach my career goals, one by one, in the realistic timeframes I've set out for. May I share with you my five-year career plan? I have a chart here that exemplifies it."

This question's aim is to ensure you view this as a long-term employment opportunity and to determine how they can earn your loyalty while you are employed with them. To answer this question, and to ensure you communicate your realistic expectations from the start, as a guideline, imagine your motivators as the carrot, and your employment with them as the stick. It is up to you to inform them what that carrot looks like, and how often it should be reached and replaced. Share with them your well-thought-out career goals for the next five-years, and how frequently you hope to attain each goal. Whether it is an opportunity to grow and develop as a professional, or how you hope to advance and be promoted, whatever your goals, share with them what you are shooting for, how they can help you attain them, and how this equates to motivating you in your career and job satisfaction.

Here are some statements on their website which are relevant to this question; "We want an environment that fosters effective recruitment, development, motivation and retention so that each person is able to maximize his or her contribution to meeting business objectives. We systematically gather feedback and take action to improve our work environment. This ensures our processes are working properly and that employees, customers and shareholders understand our policies and guiding principles around treatment, respectability, and integrity. We track, analyze and communicate performance outcomes quarterly."

How do you strike a balance between your professional life and your personal life?

"I take time the night before work to prepare for my morning, making every effort to show up on time, or preferably early. I manage my time well, in my professional life and in my personal life, and do so effectively so that I'm not taking work home with me on a regular basis, or bringing any personal issue with me to work. I set clear boundaries so I can maintain the highest level of professionalism at all times, and have a clear understanding of priorities, and when exceptions need to be made."

This question is designed to reveal how far your work ethic, time management skills, and job satisfaction ranges outside of your workday. Do you function by always trying to catch up or by being slightly ahead of the curve? How you answer could offer indicators on your attendance, on your emotional maturity, whether you allow your work life to disrupt your personal life or if you allow issues from your personal life to disrupt your professional life and your work performance.

If a professional is successful in striking a balance between their personal and professional life, they are likely to be successful in both. The following paragraph is a regular tag on to their job postings, where they offer those who balance both spheres additional tools to further enhance that balance. "If you are successful, we can offer you a company culture that promotes work life balance, a commitment to continued learning and development, access to mental health support, a fantastic benefits package which includes a competitive salary, pension, life insurance, employee assistance program, employee referral scheme, discount on Johnson Controls security products, voluntary schemes for childcare vouchers, cycle to work, eye care vouchers and holiday purchases."

How do you motivate others on your team?

"I believe offering a listening ear or encouraging words from time to time can make a huge difference for your team. Being positive and showing up with a great attitude with consistency can also make a difference. I am transparent and do everything I can to enhance communication in the workplace. I am great at setting the pace and creating a dynamic where I am setting my teams up for success based on their skills and their strengths and merits. I try to exercise these principles every day."

A professional doesn't necessarily have to be a manager, or in a team leader position, in order to motivate others. Regardless of whether you've worked in a leadership role, think of ways you set the pace, fostered greater camaraderie through your attitude and approach, set clear goals, helping those on your teams cultivate new skills or reach greater potential. Reflect on your experience and share some ways that you help others to keep up the good work.

As they declare on their site, "Anticipate. Innovate. Succeed. As a leader, you're an innovator, an information seeker, a trendsetter, a change agent, a disrupter...you're a global force to be reckoned with. We value the unique perspective that only you can bring; we need your energy, your ideas, your disruption, your passion." Consider their keywords, and the language of their values and culture when formulating your answer to this question.

How do you organize your day?

"I keep an updated Outlook calendar to keep track of work appointments, deadlines, and all of my outside activities. A few other tools I use during the day to stay organized include Google Calendar, Slack, and Freedcamp. These tools help me to stay on top of my schedule, and easily collaborate with my team. I am good at managing my time so that I complete projects on time. I take all appropriate measures to prepare for customer appointments."

This question effectively aims to reveal your work style and approach to time management, your organizational skills, and your attention to detail. Explain how you keep track of, and follow through on, your assignments. Share some of the tools you have found helpful to stay on task and organized while keeping your eye on the big picture.

How would you prefer to be compensated?

"I am currently compensated primarily on a base pay of $60,000 with the opportunity to earn a quarterly bonus based on the company's profits. I noticed the benefits you offer are similar to what I currently receive. Also, I currently receive performance reviews with raises twice a year, and get a yearly bonus in the range of $$$. Could you share with me a bit about your compensation structure? The job posting didn't indicate whether it was hourly or salary."

Any time you prepare to discuss salary or compensation in an interview, you need to determine your professional worth and reach a realistic number prior to the interview. You'll need to examine not only your income, contrasted against the job market and your projected salary increases but any bonuses, benefits, or perks that lower your cost of living. Putting thought into your response beforehand will attest to your quality of work, increasing your potential value as an employee.

Here is what they advertise as offering on their career page. Contrast their offerings with your current employer and projected earnings, as well as what the other companies you are interviewing with have to offer, and where Johnson Controls fall short. "Regular full-time and regular part-time employees in the United States are eligible for the following competitive benefits package including: Medical/dental/vision insurance/health spending, Health Savings Account (HSA), Life insurance, 401(k) savings plan & company match, Paid holidays, vacation & sick leave, Employee Assistance Program, Wellness Program, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Voluntary benefits: ID Theft; Critical Illness, Pet Insurance, and Legal Support."

What experience do you have using team-based messaging applications?

"I have used a variety of team based messaging applications. I am best versed in Workforce, and slack, and have some experience in Brosix, AOL Instant Messenger, and Freedcamp. I read a bit about Johnson Controls' Bravo Recognition program, and am interested in learning more about that. No matter which system you use, I am sure that I can pick it up very quickly. I am technically savvy and confident that I can pick up any program you need me to."

There are a wide variety of team messaging applications available out there, from workforce to slack, among many others. Try to determine which one's Johnson Controls uses and offer the interviewer a brief overview of your experience. Assure them you are adaptable and can learn their internal system in no time.

Here is some information from Johnson Controls' website where they discuss their Bravo Recognition Program. Perform research on this platform, and try to determine which team messaging apps it is most akin to, and speak to your experience with that."Johnson Controls is one team. We strive to maintain, and even strengthen, our team relationships as we all work from home. The Bravo recognition program, a new peer-led platform, makes it easy to recognize individual achievements and milestones. Leveraging the latest communication and workforce management technologies to provide all staff members, both new and seasoned, with the tools required to succeed, our leaders remained committed to continuing Johnson Controls culture of teamwork, even from afar, this meant creating new opportunities for connection and communication. Johnson Controls has found new ways to build camaraderie and keep staff engaged."

Johnson Controls Interview Questions

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1. What has been your biggest accomplishment, to date?
2. Tell me about your performance this past year.
3. How competitive are you?
4. List the top 3 skills that you acquired in your last role.
5. How do you like to spend your spare time?
6. Tell me about yourself.
7. Who is your hero, and why?
8. Why do you believe you will have success at this position with Johnson Controls?
9. Where do you see this position at Johnson Controls taking your career in the future?
10. At Johnson Controls we like to train our employees in their particular areas of interest. If you could have training in any specific area, which topic would you choose?
11. Why do you want to work for us over one of our competitors?
12. In your opinion, what sets us apart from our competitors?
13. What interests you most about what we do at Johnson Controls?
14. When was Johnson Controls formed?
15. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How was it resolved?
16. Would you consider yourself a creative person?
17. If you could invent something, what would it be?
18. Tell me about a time when you took the initiative to improve work related procedures.
19. At Johnson Controls we put a lot of pride in our customer service. How do you go above and beyond for your clientele?
20. Looking at your resume, I see multiple gaps between employment. What were you doing during those gaps?
21. We are moving quickly into second interviews. What is your availability like over the next few days?
22. Are you comfortable working in a diverse and inclusive environment?
23. What would you do if you were made aware of a co-worker being dishonest or stealing from the company?
24. How does it make you feel when someone offers you feedback?
25. What would you do if a supervisor asked you to do something unsafe?
26. Tell me your greatest strength and your greatest weakness and how it affects you in your work.
27. Walk me through your resume.
28. Do you prefer innovating on more team participation projects, or working on more analytical individualized projects?
29. I see that you have recently worked for one of our direct competitors. Do you have a non-compete agreement in place?
30. How can we motivate you on the job?
31. How do you strike a balance between your professional life and your personal life?
32. How do you motivate others on your team?
33. How do you organize your day?
34. How would you prefer to be compensated?
35. What experience do you have using team-based messaging applications?

Johnson Controls Interview Questions

1. What has been your biggest accomplishment, to date?

2. Tell me about your performance this past year.

3. How competitive are you?

4. List the top 3 skills that you acquired in your last role.

5. How do you like to spend your spare time?

6. Tell me about yourself.

7. Who is your hero, and why?

8. Why do you believe you will have success at this position with Johnson Controls?

9. Where do you see this position at Johnson Controls taking your career in the future?

10. At Johnson Controls we like to train our employees in their particular areas of interest. If you could have training in any specific area, which topic would you choose?

11. Why do you want to work for us over one of our competitors?

12. In your opinion, what sets us apart from our competitors?

13. What interests you most about what we do at Johnson Controls?

14. When was Johnson Controls formed?

15. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How was it resolved?

16. Would you consider yourself a creative person?

17. If you could invent something, what would it be?

18. Tell me about a time when you took the initiative to improve work related procedures.

19. At Johnson Controls we put a lot of pride in our customer service. How do you go above and beyond for your clientele?

20. Looking at your resume, I see multiple gaps between employment. What were you doing during those gaps?

21. We are moving quickly into second interviews. What is your availability like over the next few days?

22. Are you comfortable working in a diverse and inclusive environment?

23. What would you do if you were made aware of a co-worker being dishonest or stealing from the company?

24. How does it make you feel when someone offers you feedback?

25. What would you do if a supervisor asked you to do something unsafe?

26. Tell me your greatest strength and your greatest weakness and how it affects you in your work.

27. Walk me through your resume.

28. Do you prefer innovating on more team participation projects, or working on more analytical individualized projects?

29. I see that you have recently worked for one of our direct competitors. Do you have a non-compete agreement in place?

30. How can we motivate you on the job?

31. How do you strike a balance between your professional life and your personal life?

32. How do you motivate others on your team?

33. How do you organize your day?

34. How would you prefer to be compensated?

35. What experience do you have using team-based messaging applications?